Creed Frontman Scott Stapp Shares Journey Through Faith, Family, and Music

During the Fall of 2019, Creed frontman Scott Stapp talked to CCM Magazine’s Andrew Greer and opened up about his long battle with depression, addiction, and the road to recovery—a journey that has profoundly shaped his music and life. As Creed embarks on their first tour after a lengthy hiatus, Stapp’s story of redemption is more relevant than ever.

Stapp, who has been candid about his struggles, shared how his faith and family were instrumental in pulling him out of the darkest periods of his life. “One thing that’s great is God can take our messes and turn them into a message. He can take our pain and give it purpose,” he said. His words reflect the heart of his healing process—transforming his suffering into a source of strength not only for himself but also for others going through similar battles.

Reflecting on his role in helping others, Stapp emphasized the unique connection he feels with those who are struggling. “When I get in a room of men who are struggling, who are facing addiction, alcoholism, depression, they know I’m coming from a place of ‘I’ve been there.’ I can speak their language. God has given me a way to connect with those individuals in a way that, if you haven’t been through it, you can’t do it.” This empathy and understanding are at the core of his outreach, allowing him to touch lives beyond the music.

Stapp’s 2019 album, The Space Between the Shadows, and its lead single, “Purpose for Pain,” are deeply personal, drawing from his own experiences of overcoming life’s challenges. “It doesn’t just have to be alcoholism and addiction,” he explained. “It could be child abuse, a battered spouse, or any traumatic life experience. If we change the way we think about it, and look at what we learned and how we can help someone else, it becomes something with purpose.” This perspective shift is what Stapp believes gives pain its meaning and turns it into a source of hope.

For Stapp, this new phase of his career isn’t just about the music; it’s about the journey that brought him here. His path to recovery, marked by five years of sobriety, has reconnected him with his “authentic self” and provided a clarity he hadn’t experienced in years. “It’s akin to a spiritual awakening,” he noted, underscoring the profound changes in his life that have influenced his art.

Looking back, Stapp recalls the early days of his depression—when everything seemed perfect on the surface, yet something was profoundly wrong. “I had nothing to be depressed over, on the surface,” he said. “But it’s something biological because it hit me physically. I just woke up one day, and something was wrong. I had no energy, no passion, no drive. I didn’t want to do anything.” This physical and mental exhaustion led him to seek help, but the lack of awareness about depression and its treatment in the late ’90s only made things worse.

Years of self-medication and incorrect treatments led to a deeper low until finally, with the help of his wife and MusiCares, Stapp committed to a path of recovery. “I had to reach a bottom before I could truly find recovery and healing,” he admitted. This commitment to recovery wasn’t just about sobriety; it was about surrendering control and allowing himself to heal.

In his new life, Stapp has found more margin to help others, whether through his work with ChildFund or by supporting others in recovery. “Helping other people actually helps you,” he explained, reflecting on the wisdom that comes with healing. “The more I’m calling people on the phone trying to help them get sober, I realized, man, I just went three days, and I’m good.”

As Creed returns to the spotlight, Stapp’s story of redemption and his unwavering belief in the power of faith and family serve as a beacon of hope for those still in the dark. “If I had to take this journey any other way, I wouldn’t have my wife, my four beautiful children, and I wouldn’t be here with this new record,” he said. For Stapp, the journey was worth every step, and now, he gets to share it with the world once again.

WATCH THE FULL 2019 CONVERSATION: